According to preliminary official trade data, rice exports remained strong in May at 425,000
tons (100,000 tons basmati and 325,000 tons non-basmati), despite a significant fall in
exports to Bangladesh. Exports were mainly to Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ivory
Coast, and other African countries. January-May 2005 exports totaled a little over 2.5 million
tons.

Considering the high export volume during January-May, continuing heavy exports to Saudi
Arabia and African countries, and likely resumption of exports to Bangladesh in coming
months, CY 2005 exports are estimated to reach around 4.5 million tons.